Professional Organizations For Georgia Science Teachers WHAT ARE PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ORGANIZATIONS??Professional Teacher Organizations (PTOs) are groups designed to promote better teaching and to enhance educational environments. They provide educators with a variety of classroom resources, enable teachers to continue their own education within their content area and in teaching techniques, encourage collaboration between teachers, and provide teachers with access to current educational research. WHAT ABOUT SCIENCE TEACHERS??There are several PTOs dedicated specifically to science teachers. This web page provides general information on the main professional science teacher organizations and provides links so that you can find out more about each one. There is also a chart comparing all the organizations so that you can chose the one (or more than one) that is right for you. PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS Click on the name of the organization that you are interested in OR click here to see a chart comparing all of the organizations. NSTA (National Science Teacher Association) GSTA (Georgia Science Teacher Association) NESTA (National Earth Science Teacher Association) AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers) NABT (National Association of Biology Teachers) ACS (American Chemical Society) NMLSTA (National Middle Level Science Teacher Association) Compare All
National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) click here to learn more by visiting their website Purpose
“to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all”
General Information
NSTA is the official national professional organization for all science teachers
They are the largest professional organization for science teachers
Cost
$74/year normal fee
$34/year for students, new teachers (1-3 years), or retired teachers
Can pay more to receive more than one printed journal
Publications
Science and Children (Elementary Level)
Science Scope (Middle School Level)
The Science Teacher (High School Level)
Journal of College Science Teaching (College Level)
9 issues/year
NSTA Benefits
Receive one printed journal subscription and receive NSTA newsletter
Online access to all NSTA journals articles
SciLinks® (relevant internet links)
Discounts on NSTA conferences and on products from NSTA store.
Access to many teaching resources and professional development opportunities.
NSTA Conferences
NSTA has three regional and one national conference each year
2009 Area Conference in Minneapolis (October 29-31)
2009 Area Conference in Fort Lauderdale (November 12-14)
2009 Area Conference in Phoenix (December 3-5)
2010 National Conference in Philadelphia, PA (March 18–21)
American Chemical Society (ACS) click hereto learn more by visiting the ACS website or here to visit the ACS Division of Chemical Education website Purpose
Of ACS: "Committed to improving people’s lives through the transforming power of chemistry."
Of the ACS Division of Chemical Education: “serves as a means of focusing and enhancing the interests and efforts of all constituencies involved in the teaching and learning of chemistry at every level.”
General Information
ACS is different because it is an organization designed for all fields and professions of chemistry, of which teaching is just one
World's largest scientific society
The ACS Division of Chemical Education is most relevant to teachers
Cost
$146/year normal fee to ACS
$73/year fee for full-time grad student to ACS
$40/year fee for high school teachers to ACS Division of Chemical Education
Publications
Many publications, but only one that is really relevant to chemistry teachers
Journal of Chemical Education
ACS Benefits
Receive online access to JCE through CLIC (a program especially for high school chem teachers)
Online access to many resources and materials specifically relevant to the high school chem classroom
Discounts on items from DivChEd catalog
Access to many online resources and professional development opportunities
ACS Conferences
Host workshops specific to chemistry at NSTA conferences
Hold programs specifc for chemistry teachers at ACS National Meetings
ACS Division of Chemical Education also has meetings and workshops.
21st Biennial Conference on Chemical Education in Denton, TX (August 1-5, 2010)
National Middle Level Science Teacher Association (NMLSTA) click here to learn more by visiting their website Purpose
“To provide more networking opportunities for middle level science teachers, continue partnerships with companies and organizations to improve middle level science teaching, and to share effective teaching activities and the results of educational research useful to middle level science teachers.”
General Information
PTO designed specifically for middle school science teachers
COMPARISON CHART FOR PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS for a printable pdf version of this document, click on this link:ProffessionalOrgHandout.doc click here to return to the top of the page
$74/yr normal fee $34/yr student, new teacher, or retired (Higher rates for those who want more than one printed journal)
Can choose 1 of 4 journals (9 pub./yr) and access to journal archives; receive NSTA Newspaper and e-newsletter
Discount on NSTA conferences and online store; Access to many teaching resources and professional development (some free and some at discounted rate)
Three Regional and One National Conferences with exhibits, workshops, and presentations and free resources. Members of NSTA (or some other org.) receive discount.
Have some web resources that are also free for non-members; Also, if you are a member of the field-specific PTO, you can receive the discounted rate for conference.
General National Organization for Science Teachers;
$146/yr normal fee $73/yr grad student $40/yr ACS div of chemical education
With $40, receive online subscription to Journal of Chemical Ed. Through CLIC, specially designed for high school teachers and CHED newsletter.
Discounts on items from CHED catalog; Access to many teaching resources through JCE online.
Hosts workshops specific to chemistry at NSTA conf. Also hold programs specific to teachers at ACS National mtg. and throughout year. CHED also hosts meetings.
Public access to many online resources and links, as well as ACS reports and some JCE articles.
This group is different because it represents professionals in all fields of chemistry, education being one.
WHAT ARE PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ORGANIZATIONS??Professional Teacher Organizations (PTOs) are groups designed to promote better teaching and to enhance educational environments. They provide educators with a variety of classroom resources, enable teachers to continue their own education within their content area and in teaching techniques, encourage collaboration between teachers, and provide teachers with access to current educational research.
WHAT ABOUT SCIENCE TEACHERS??There are several PTOs dedicated specifically to science teachers. This web page provides general information on the main professional science teacher organizations and provides links so that you can find out more about each one. There is also a chart comparing all the organizations so that you can chose the one (or more than one) that is right for you.
PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS
Click on the name of the organization that you are interested in OR click here to see a chart comparing all of the organizations.
NSTA (National Science Teacher Association)
GSTA (Georgia Science Teacher Association)
NESTA (National Earth Science Teacher Association)
AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers)
NABT (National Association of Biology Teachers)
ACS (American Chemical Society)
NMLSTA (National Middle Level Science Teacher Association)
Compare All
National Science Teacher Association (NSTA)
click here to learn more by visiting their website
Purpose
- “to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all”
General Information- NSTA is the official national professional organization for all science teachers
- They are the largest professional organization for science teachers
Cost- $74/year normal fee
- $34/year for students, new teachers (1-3 years), or retired teachers
- Can pay more to receive more than one printed journal
Publications- Science and Children (Elementary Level)
- Science Scope (Middle School Level)
- The Science Teacher (High School Level)
- Journal of College Science Teaching (College Level)
- 9 issues/year
NSTA Benefits- Receive one printed journal subscription and receive NSTA newsletter
- Online access to all NSTA journals articles
- SciLinks® (relevant internet links)
- Discounts on NSTA conferences and on products from NSTA store.
- Access to many teaching resources and professional development opportunities.
NSTA Conferences- NSTA has three regional and one national conference each year
- 2009 Area Conference in Minneapolis (October 29-31)
- 2009 Area Conference in Fort Lauderdale (November 12-14)
- 2009 Area Conference in Phoenix (December 3-5)
- 2010 National Conference in Philadelphia, PA (March 18–21)
click here to return to the top of the pageGeorgia Science Teacher Association (GSTA)
click here to learn more by visiting their website
Purpose
- “committed to support excellent science teaching for students of the state of Georgia”
General Information- GSTA is the Georgia chapter of NSTA
Cost- $30/year normal fee
- $15/year for students
- Can pay more to receive more than one printed journal
Publications- The Georgia Science Teacher
- Issues published quarterly
GSTA Benefits- Receive printed version of GSTA journal and newsletter
- Online access to GSTA newsletter
- Has list of online resources, links, and Grant opportunities.
- Discounts on GSTA conference
- Access to many teaching resources and professional development opportunities.
GSTA Conferences- GSTA had an annual conference usually held in February of each year
click here to return to the top of the pageNational Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA)
click here to learn more by visiting their website
Purpose
- “to facilitate and advance excellence in Earth and Space Science education”
General Information- NESTA is specifically for Earth Science Teachers and is an associated group of NSTA
Cost- $35/year normal fee
- $20/year membership fee without printed version of journal
Publications- The Earth Scientest
- Issues published quarterly
NESTA Benefits- Receive printed version of NESTA journal and monthly e-newsletter
- Has list of online resources links specifically relevant to Earth Science.
- Access to contests, drawings, and other opportunities
- Access to many teaching resources and professional development opportunities.
NESTA Conferences- NESTA has share-a-thons, resources day, field trips, receptions and other events
- NESTA also has sessions at the NSTA conferences
click here to return to the top of the pageAmerican Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
click here to learn more by visiting their website
Purpose
- “to ensure the dissemination of knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching.”
General Information- Professional Teacher Organization specific for physics teachers
- Provides physics resources at both the high school and college levels
Cost- $115/year normal fee (includes print copy of The Physics Teacher)
- $40/year fee for full-time student (online access to journals only)
- higher fee for members who want printed versions of both journals
Publications- American Journal of Physics
- The Physics Teacher
- The AJP is published monthly and the PT is published 11 months/year
AAPT Benefits- Receive printed copy of one journal and online access to all journal archives
- Online links and resources to enhance the physics classroom
- Access to large databases physics teaching materials
- Discounts on national meetings and items for the AAPT store.
- Access to many grants and awards
AAPT Conferences- Have sessions and workshops throughout year
- AAPT Summer Meeting 2009 in Ann Arbor, Michigan (July 25-29)
- AAPT Winter Meeting 2010 in Washington DC (February 13-17)
click here to return to the top of the pageNational Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
click here to learn more by visiting their website
Purpose
- “empowers educators to provide the best possible biology and life science education for all students.”
General Information- Professional Teacher Organization specific for biology and other life science teachers
- One of the oldest PTOs in existence (founded in 1938)
Cost- $75/year normal fee
- $25/year fee for full-time student (only receive online version of journal)
Publications- American Biology Teacher
- Published 9 times per year
NABT Benefits- Receive printed copy journal
- Online access to biology collections and programs
- Weekly electronic subscription to News and Views, their newsletter
- Discounts on workshops and NABT store.
- Access to many online resources and professional development opportunities
NABT Conferences- Have various workshops and one national conference per year
- 2009 Conference in Denver, Colorado (November 11-14, 2009)
click here to return to the top of the pageAmerican Chemical Society (ACS)
click hereto learn more by visiting the ACS website or here to visit the ACS Division of Chemical Education website
Purpose
- Of ACS: "Committed to improving people’s lives through the transforming power of chemistry."
- Of the ACS Division of Chemical Education: “serves as a means of focusing and enhancing the interests and efforts of all constituencies involved in the teaching and learning of chemistry at every level.”
General Information- ACS is different because it is an organization designed for all fields and professions of chemistry, of which teaching is just one
- World's largest scientific society
- The ACS Division of Chemical Education is most relevant to teachers
Cost- $146/year normal fee to ACS
- $73/year fee for full-time grad student to ACS
- $40/year fee for high school teachers to ACS Division of Chemical Education
Publications- Many publications, but only one that is really relevant to chemistry teachers
- Journal of Chemical Education
ACS Benefits- Receive online access to JCE through CLIC (a program especially for high school chem teachers)
- Online access to many resources and materials specifically relevant to the high school chem classroom
- Discounts on items from DivChEd catalog
- Access to many online resources and professional development opportunities
ACS Conferences- Host workshops specific to chemistry at NSTA conferences
- Hold programs specifc for chemistry teachers at ACS National Meetings
- ACS Division of Chemical Education also has meetings and workshops.
- 21st Biennial Conference on Chemical Education in Denton, TX (August 1-5, 2010)
click here to return to the top of the pageNational Middle Level Science Teacher Association (NMLSTA)
click here to learn more by visiting their website
Purpose
- “To provide more networking opportunities for middle level science teachers, continue partnerships with companies and organizations to improve middle level science teaching, and to share effective teaching activities and the results of educational research useful to middle level science teachers.”
General Information- PTO designed specifically for middle school science teachers
- Associated with NSTA
Cost- $15/year normal fee
- $10/year fee for first year teacher
Publications- Level Line (newsletter, not a journal)
- Four issues per year
NMLSTA Benefits- Receive NMLSTA newsletter quarterly
- Online access to links and resources
- Eligible for gift giveaways and awards
NABT Conferences- Host events and presentations at NSTA conferences
click here to return to the top of the pageCOMPARISON CHART FOR PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS
for a printable pdf version of this document, click on this link: ProffessionalOrgHandout.doc
click here to return to the top of the page
Organization
COST
(National Science Teachers Association)
www.nsta.org
normal fee
$34/yr
student, new teacher, or retired
(Higher rates for those who want more than one printed journal)
(Georgia Science Teachers Association)
http://www.georgia scienceteacher.org
$15/yr for full time student
Online Access to The Georgia Science Teacher
(National Earth Science Teachers Association)
www.nestanet.org
$20/yr normal membership without printed version of journal
(American Association of Physics Teachers)
http://www.aapt.org/
$40/yr full-time student rate
(Higher rates for those who want more than one printed journal)
Some of the material is directed towards college-level physics.
(National Association of Biology Teachers)
http://www.nabt.org
$25/yr full-time student (only online access to journal)
(American Chemical Society)
www.acs.org
$73/yr grad student
$40/yr ACS div of chemical education
(National Middle Level Science Teachers' Association)
www.nmlsta.org
$10/yr first yr teacher
(School Science and Mathematics Association)
www.ssma.org
$25/yr full-time student